Welcome to the VP Finance & Operations portfolio
The nine divisions of the VPFO are responsible for the stewardship of UBC’s physical and financial assets, as well as safety and risk management for our university community.
We oversee a $3.98 billion budget, a $3.38 billion endowment, and all facilities on both campuses, as well as managing the university’s relationships with UBC Investment Management and UBC Properties Trust. In all the portfolio’s responsibilities, we are committed to the values of innovation, unity and accountability.

VPFO Strategic Plan 2024–2027
Having a strategic plan gives us a clear path, keeping everyone on the same page. Learn more about where we’re going next and how we plan to get there.
News from the VPFO
-
New Tool to Enhance the Efficiency of Expense Report Management in Workday
We will launch of Expense Protect, a tool to help reduce time spent on manual review of Expense Reports in Workday. Expense Protect will analyze data trends from expense reports to provide insights.
-
Updates to the Centre for Occupational Health, Safety & Wellbeing
As part of recent updates within the Centre for Occupational Health, Safety & Wellbeing, the Centre entrance doors will remain locked during work hours. VPFO staff can now enter the space by swiping their UBC staff cards.
-
We’re saying goodbye to @UBCFixMySpace on X (Twitter)
As of September 1, 2025, UBC Facilities will be decommissioning our X (formerly Twitter) account @UBCFixMySpace. This change reflects our ongoing efforts to streamline communications and ensure consistent, reliable support for the campus community. For immediate assistance, call the Facilities…
-
New accounts payable system to launch this Summer
A new system called ‘Ascend’ will be implemented this Summer to streamline the invoice triage and entry process across both UBC Vancouver and Okanagan campuses. Invoicing standards will remain the same—please continue following standard invoicing and Workday procedures.
-
UBC Perception & Cognition Lab Renovation begins July 14
Construction on the UBC Perception & Cognition Lab (Ongchoco Lab) Renovation is anticipated to begin on July 14, 2025, and to be completed in October 2025.
People of the VPFO
-
UBC Emergency Management welcomes two new team members, Mariyam Syed and Alicia Head
Mariyam Syed, Emergency Management & Continuity Planning Advisor, will spearhead UBC’s Continuity Planning Program while also providing expertise to numerous other program elements, and Alicia Head, Emergency Management & Continuity Planning Associate, will have a broad support role on the…
-
“What are we doing? Where can we improve?” Continuous improvement in action
Adam started at UBC as a Warehouse Clerk for UBC Bookstore in 2011 and moved into the role of Storeperson at Stores in UBC Facilities in 2016. Since then, through learning continuously, developing strong relationships and providing leadership, Adam has…
-
Announcing Helen Yung as the new Comptroller for UBC
Helen joins us from Vancouver Coastal Health, where she has served as a valued senior finance leader for over 20 years, most recently as Executive Director, Controller and Financial Services.
-
Noel McNally promoted as Senior Project Manager in Infrastructure Development
In his new role, Noel will be leading one of the teams of project managers in Project Services, and continue his present scope of work of directly managing complex projects such as Jack Bell Building Renewal and Faculty of Applied…
-
Selina Liu Joins Energy & Water Services as Energy Conservation Engineer
She joins us from BCIT as the Energy Manager, where she managed a team of engineers and BMS technicians to implement robust process improvements to increase energy efficiency across the Institute. The projects and process improvements she has implemented during…